In December 2020, officers raided the homes of police officers in connection with a criminal inquiry about the leaking of a document about the divorce of Stephen Corbishley, the Commissioner of Police. The officers concerned were:
- Sergeant Mark Monk and
- Constable Robert Butterfield
Electronic equipment was seized.
However, apparently the sergeant and constable, accused of “causing disaffection” among their colleagues, are not be charged with a criminal offence.
A reasonable use of police resources, oppressive conduct … a conflict of interest?
Apparently, Mr Corbishley’s has warned the officers they would be sued unless they paid the commissioner compensation for causing “serious harm” to his reputation and “significant personal anxiety and distress” by allegedly making public a confidential court document.
The issue is likely to rumble on …
- Sergeant Monk had had apparently instructed a lawyer in relation to an internal misconduct matter before the raid on his home
- It appears Mr Monk is accusing the constabulary of making false statements about him being un-contactable
- Mr Monk is also reported to have made a criminal complaint in relation to the search warrant
- Mr Butterfield’s complaints to the Governor about the commissioner will see further inquiry
- Mr Butterfield is stated in the press to have filed a civil suit he filed in relation to the search warrant
- Mrs Monk, not listed as a suspect, is said to have had her work computer taken – a date for the Supreme Court’s judicial review of the seizure is awaited. The matter has also been presented to the Police Complaints Authority